The 2013 season is nearly here and it would seem that the schedules would be all set. Not so for Baylor, which finds itself suddenly in search of a new opponent now that SMU has dropped the Sept. 14 game against the Bears and replaced them with Montana State on Sept. 7.

It makes sense for the Mustangs. SMU moves to the Big East this season and also has a packed nonconference schedule with games against Texas Tech, Texas A&M and TCU. Dropping Baylor from that list in favor of an FCS team is probably wise.

SMU and Baylor won't play in 2013 as scheduled. The Mustangs dropped Baylor and replaced it with FCS team Montana State. (AP Photo)

Dropping Baylor at this juncture, though, puts the Bears in a tough spot. They’ll likely be scrambling to find an FCS team with an available spot—and will have to pay for the game.

“While this is a rivalry that both schools value, we decided that it would be best if we did not play this season,” said SMU athletic director Rick Hart in a release. “This was not an easy decision and was made only after careful deliberation. With three Big 12 games and one SEC matchup on our nonconference schedule, and an upgraded conference schedule as we join the Big East, we felt we needed to bring some balance.”

Hart said the two programs would still play at Baylor in 2014, and has “them scheduled for annual games for numerous years.”

Baylor has two nonconference games on its schedule, against Buffalo on Sept. 7 and against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 21.